The Nam Som Sai Chu Issue Factor

The most delicious condiment in the world is found in almost all the Thai restaurants in Patong, being thinly sliced chillis soaked in vinegar and palm sugar. My eating on this trip was dictated by the need for this, but, for some reason it was increasingly difficult to order it, perhaps due to the several variations namely the exclusion of palm sugar. The reasons are outlined below.

My confusion ran off this list:
Prik Nam Pla (chillies in fish Sauce)
Nam (Sauce)
Som (Orange)
Som (Fork)
Prik (Chilli)
Nam Som (Orange Juice)
Nam Som Paep (Palm Sugar)
Nam Som Sai Chu (lit. "Sour Wine" chilli slices in Vinegar)
Prik Nam Som (chilli slices in vinegar)
Nam Prik (Hot Chili Paste Sauce, a watery sauce of shrimp paste and chili)

So the first day, I received this tangy marvel and asked immediately what it was called and they said "Nam Som". So I jump into the lonely planet phrase book and confirm Nam Som as sliced chillies in vinegar. Of course at the back of the phrase book, lonely planet marks Nam Som as orange juice.

But I digress. The next time I ask for Nam Som, I get looks of outstanding bewilderment, thinking jesus christ, is my pronunciation that bad??? How can you get 6 letters wrong? Redfaced and embarrased I try Prik Nam Som? Nope. I sheepishly track down their condiments shelf and get what I need and ask the name. This time I get something along the lines of "Nam Som Saai Chu."

Ok Next restaurant, I promptly order my meal and when it arrives I ask for a Nam Som Su Chee - getting it completely wrong, because my mind map remembered Aung Sung Su Chi, the burmese freedom fighter chick.) Of course after once again having bemused confused looks from the friendly staff and my face going bright red again, I get served a bottle of tomato/chilli sauce. Humbly, I get up and track down the vinegar I require and once again ask the name. Of course, this restaurant says "Nam Som". AAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHHHH I cant win!

Right, I try again at our hotel's pool bar, firmly convinced that I can't lose. Armed with a "Nam Som" together with an expressive pointing gesture to my food, also miming the act of applying vinegar to my dish. I say it to our favourite barman Witoon and he seems to understand exactly what I am after with my Chicken with Cashew dish. AHA! Success, or so I believe. 5 minutes later, the other barman pops an orange juice on the counter.

I am stunned. And promptly bury my head in my hands. "What the hell is wrong with me???" I try "Prik Nam Som" and I get a look of disbelief from Witoon and they chatter amongst themselves. They both agree to something as my dining companions are wetting themselves with laughter at another of my failed attempt at personalised condimensation. Ok, now barman number two has a smile on his face with a look of understanding and reaches into the fridge and grabs me a bottle of Fanta.

I sob quietly and gesture towards my food once more as I apply a look of pleading to Witoon.

AHA! The largest lightbulb in the world appears above his head. By Jove I think he's got it! He states proudly "AH...Nam Som Saai Chu!" I light up with relieved anguishment and joy "Yes, Yes! Dear barman yes!" out comes my vinegar and chillis. and I am in bliss.